Mid-holocene sector collapse at Mount Spurr Volcano, South-Central Alaska
Professional Paper
1739-C
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Abstract
Radiocarbon-dated volcanic mass-flow deposits on the southeast flank of Mount Spurr in south-central Alaska provide strong evidence for the timing of large-scale destruction of the south flank of the volcano by sector collapse at 4,769^ndash;4,610 yr B.P. The sector collapse created an avalanche caldera and produced an ~1-km3-volume clay-rich debris avalanche that flowed into the glacially scoured Chakachatna River valley, where it transformed into a lahar that extended an unknown distance beyond the debris avalanche. Hydrothermal alteration, an unbuttressed south flank of the volcano, and local structure have been identified as plausible factors contributing to the instability of the edifice. The sector collapse at Mount Spurr is one of the later known large-volume (>1 km,sup>3) flank failures recognized in the Aleutian Arc and one of the few known Alaskan examples of transformation of a debris avalanche into a lahar.
Suggested Citation
Waythomas, C.F., 2007, Mid-holocene sector collapse at Mount Spurr Volcano, South-Central Alaska (Version 1.0): U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1739, 15 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1739C.
ISSN: 2330-7102 (online)
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Mid-holocene sector collapse at Mount Spurr Volcano, South-Central Alaska |
| Series title | Professional Paper |
| Series number | 1739 |
| Chapter | C |
| DOI | 10.3133/pp1739C |
| Edition | Version 1.0 |
| Year Published | 2007 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Volcano Hazards Program, Western Mineral Resources |
| Description | 15 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Other Geospatial | Mount Spurr Volcano |
| Online Only (Y/N) | Y |